U.S. patent number 8,844,770 [Application Number 12/089,116] was granted by the patent office on 2014-09-30 for cover member, method of producing one such member and a fluid product dispenser using one such member.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Aptar France SAS. The grantee listed for this patent is Gilles Jourdin, Cedric Mesnil. Invention is credited to Gilles Jourdin, Cedric Mesnil.
United States Patent |
8,844,770 |
Jourdin , et al. |
September 30, 2014 |
Cover member, method of producing one such member and a fluid
product dispenser using one such member
Abstract
A covering member (1; 1'; 1'') for mounting on a fastener ring
(2), the ring and the covering member co-operating with each other
to form a fastener device for fastening a dispenser system (3),
such as a pump or a valve, on a receptacle neck (40), the covering
member presenting a general configuration that is substantially
cylindrical and that includes an outside wall (14) and an inside
wall (15) for coming into clamping contact around the ring (2), the
inside wall forming projections (17) that project inwards from a
base zone (151), the projections being disposed as elongate ribs
(16; 16'; 16''), the covering member being characterized in that
each rib is formed by a plurality of projections (17) that are
separated by gaps (18) in such a manner as to form a projecting rib
that is interrupted locally.
Inventors: |
Jourdin; Gilles (Combon,
FR), Mesnil; Cedric (La Neuville du Bosc,
FR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Jourdin; Gilles
Mesnil; Cedric |
Combon
La Neuville du Bosc |
N/A
N/A |
FR
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Aptar France SAS (Le Neubourg,
FR)
|
Family
ID: |
36609541 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/089,116 |
Filed: |
October 2, 2006 |
PCT
Filed: |
October 02, 2006 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/FR2006/050969 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
July 09, 2008 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2007/042701 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
April 19, 2007 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20090224005 A1 |
Sep 10, 2009 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
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Oct 4, 2005 [FR] |
|
|
05 10152 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/153.1;
222/321.9; 215/277; 222/153.09; 215/274; 222/319 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B
11/3049 (20130101); B05B 11/3047 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B67B
1/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;215/274,277
;222/321.9,153.09,153.1,319 ;292/1,80 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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20 2004 000 921 |
|
Jun 2005 |
|
DE |
|
0 704 250 |
|
Apr 1996 |
|
EP |
|
0 704 251 |
|
Apr 1996 |
|
EP |
|
1 270 434 |
|
Jan 2003 |
|
EP |
|
2.040.666 |
|
Jan 1971 |
|
FR |
|
Other References
European Search Report for EP 06 01 9267, dated Jan. 23, 2008.
cited by applicant .
Office Action dated Mar. 29, 2013, issued by the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 12/089,007. cited by applicant
.
Office Action dated May 30, 2013, issued by the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 12/089,079. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Boeckmann; Jason
Assistant Examiner: Zhou; Joel
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sughrue Mion, PLLC
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A fastener device comprising a fastener ring (2) and a covering
member (1; 1'; 1'') for mounting on the fastener ring (2), the ring
configured to be engaged around a receptacle neck (40) for
fastening a dispenser system (3), the covering member presenting a
general configuration that is substantially cylindrical and that
includes an outside wall (14) and an inside wall (15) for coming
into clamping contact around the ring (2), the inside wall forming
projections (17) that project inwards from a base zone (151) that
is cylindrical, the projections are disposed as elongate vertical
ribs (16; 16'; 16'') oriented relative to an upright orientation of
the receptacle and substantially parallel to an axial direction of
the covering member, each rib being formed by a plurality of
vertically elongate projections (17) that are separated by gaps
(18) in such a manner as to form a projecting rib that is
interrupted locally and extending vertically and wherein the ribs
extend parallel to each other.
2. A covering member according to claim 1, in which the projections
(17) of the rib are vertically elongate relative to the upright
orientation of the receptacle in the longitudinal direction of the
rib, each of the projections forming two ends (171) and two long
vertical edges (172), the adjacent ends of two projections being
separated by a gap (18).
3. A covering member according to claim 1, in which the gaps (18)
are made by displacing material, such that each gap is bordered by
lumps of displaced material (175, 176).
4. A method of manufacturing a covering member according to claim
1, the method comprising the following successive steps: a) making
a covering member by stamping metal in such a manner as to form
continuous ribs on the inside wall; and b) machining the ribs by
removing material so as to form gaps that divide each rib into a
plurality of separate projections.
5. A method of manufacturing a covering member according to claim
3, the method comprising the following successive steps: a) making
a covering member by stamping metal in such a manner as to form
continuous ribs on the inside wall; and b) machining the ribs by
displacing material so as to form gaps that divide each rib into a
plurality of separate projections.
6. A method according to claim 5, in which the machining step is
performed by embossing or by knurling.
7. A fluid dispenser comprising a receptacle, a dispenser system,
and a fastener device that integrates a covering member according
to claim 1.
8. The covering member according to claim 1, wherein the plurality
of projections that form each rib extend serially one after the
other to define a linear track that makes up the rib.
9. The covering member according to claim 1, wherein the plurality
of projections that makes up one of the ribs is non-annular.
10. The covering member according to claim 1, wherein the plurality
of projections that makes up one of the ribs are broken
longitudinally to form the gaps.
11. The covering member according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser
system is a pump or a valve.
12. A fastener for fastening a dispenser system to a receptacle,
comprising: a fastener ring; a covering member configured to mount
on the fastener ring; the fastener ring-configured to engage around
a neck of the receptacle to fasten the dispenser system to the
receptacle; the covering member comprises an outside wall and an
inside wall sized so that the inside wall engages and clamps around
an outer surface of the fastener ring; the inside wall of the
covering member comprising projections that project from a base
zone, the projections are elongated with a length longer than a
width and oriented vertically along the length relative to an
upright orientation of the receptacle, groups of the projections
are disposed vertically one after another with gaps between
vertically adjacent projections, each group of projections forming
a vertically oriented rib interrupted locally by the gaps, the rib
extending parallel to each other and to an axial direction of the
covering member.
13. The fastener according to claim 12, wherein the ribs extend
parallel to each other along the circumference of the inside wall
of the covering member.
14. The fastener according to claim 12, wherein the gaps provide
axial retention of the covering member as a result of material from
the fastener ring creeping into the gaps.
Description
The present invention relates to a covering member for mounting on
a fastener ring, the ring and the covering member co-operating with
each other to form a fastener device for fastening a dispenser
system, such as a pump or a valve, on the neck of a receptacle. The
present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the
covering member. The present invention also relates to a fluid
dispenser comprising a receptacle, a dispenser system (pump or
valve), and a fastener device that integrates a covering member of
the invention. Such fluid dispensers are frequently used in the
fields of perfumery, cosmetics, or even pharmacy.
The covering member of the ring can have technical and/or
appearance functions. A first function of the covering member is
technical and concerns retaining or blocking the fastener ring on
the neck of the receptacle. The covering member can be used to
prevent the ring from deforming outwards, and thus from becoming
disengaged from the neck of the receptacle. Another function of the
covering member concerns appearance and is to cover the fastener
ring in such a manner as to impart thereto an attractive
appearance. The covering member is thus made with materials and
shapes that make it possible to impart thereto an attractive
appearance. The covering member may be manufactured out of plastics
material or out of metal.
Regardless of whether the covering member fulfils an appearance or
a technical function, it is important that it is retained in
stationary manner on the fastener ring. It should not be possible
to pull the covering member off the ring easily, merely by pulling
on said covering member. It is therefore necessary for the
fastening between the covering member and the ring to be able to
withstand considerable traction. In order to improve the retention
of the covering member on the ring, it is already known for the
inside wall of the hoop that is to come into clamping contact with
the ring to be made with projections that project inwards. In
particular, this is the situation in documents EP-0 704 250 and
U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,941. In the above-mentioned European document,
it is envisaged to form oblique portions in relief on the inside
wall of the covering member. The oblique portions in relief make it
possible to remove the covering member easily from the hoop for
recycling purposes. In the above-mentioned American document, it is
envisaged to form annular ribs or grooves on/in the inside wall of
the covering member. The grooves or ribs impart good ability to
withstand traction, but they are completely ineffective with regard
to preventing the covering member from turning.
An object of the present invention is to remedy the above-mentioned
drawbacks of the prior art by defining a covering member having
considerable ability both to withstand traction and to prevent
turning.
To achieve this object, the present invention proposes a covering
member for mounting on a fastener ring, the ring and the covering
member co-operating with each other to form a fastener device for
fastening a dispenser system, such as a pump or a valve, on a
receptacle neck, the covering member presenting a general
configuration that is substantially cylindrical and that includes
an outside wall and an inside wall for coming into clamping contact
around the ring, the inside wall forming projections that project
inwards from a base zone, the projections being disposed as
elongate ribs, each rib being formed by a plurality of projections
that are separated by gaps in such a manner as to form a projecting
rib that is interrupted locally. In other words, the inside wall of
the covering member is provided with projections that are disposed
in one or more lines. It is possible to envisage forming a single
rib only that extends along a geometrical path (helicoidal,
sinusoidal, etc.), or along an irregular path. Naturally, for
practical reasons, it is easier to form the ribs in the form of
rectilinear lines that extend parallel to one another. By way of
example, it is possible to dispose the ribs as substantially
vertical splines, i.e. parallel to the axis of the cylindrical
covering member. In a variant, it is possible to dispose the ribs
substantially horizontally in such a manner as to form annular ribs
that are interrupted. It is also possible to form the ribs
obliquely in the form of an interrupted screw thread. It is also
possible to form ribs that extend in a plurality of different
directions, in such a manner as to form rib intersections. The gaps
formed between successive projections make it possible to improve
the ability to withstand traction and/or turning. For ribs that are
disposed vertically, the gaps participate amply in withstanding
traction. For horizontal annular ribs, the gaps contribute greatly
in preventing turning. For oblique ribs, the gaps participate both
in preventing turning and in withstanding traction. The gaps
participate in retention as a result of the plastics material
constituting the fastener ring creeping into the gaps, thereby
forming corresponding blocking points that prevent removal by
traction or displacement in turning. Naturally, the projections
bite into the plastics material constituting the fastener ring. As
a result, increasing the numbers of projections and of gaps makes
it possible to obtain considerable retention. In other words, the
gaps provide retention in the direction that is substantially
perpendicular to the orientation of the ribs.
In an advantageous embodiment, the projections of a rib are
elongate in the longitudinal direction of the rib, each projection
forming two ends and two long edges, the adjacent ends of two
projections being separated by a gap. The long edges provide
retention in a given direction, and the ends provide retention in
the direction that is perpendicular thereto.
In another practical embodiment, the gaps are made by displacing
material, such that each gap is bordered by lumps of displaced
material. The lumps of displaced material themselves constitute
profiles forming projections or gaps that contribute still further
in retaining the covering member on the fastener ring.
The present invention also defines a first method of manufacturing
a covering member as defined above, the method comprising the
following successive steps: a) making a covering member by stamping
metal in such a manner as to form continuous ribs on the inside
wall; and b) machining the ribs by removing material so as to form
gaps that divide each rib into a plurality of separate projections.
The projections and the gaps are thus formed using two different
techniques. The only drawback with the technique of machining by
removing material is that is generates metal debris or swarf that
is difficult to remove completely. Consequently, the present
invention proposes another manufacturing method in which the
machining step is performed by displacing material and not by
removing material. The technique of machining by displacing
material has the advantage of not generating any metal debris or
swarf. In this event, it is possible to perform the machining step
by embossing or by knurling. In addition, this technique generates
lumps of displaced material that retain the covering member even
more securely on the ring.
The invention also defines a fluid dispenser comprising a
receptacle, a dispenser system, and a fastener device that
integrates a covering member as defined above.
An advantageous principle of the invention consists in forming an
array of discrete or separate projections on the inside wall of the
covering member, the projections being separated by gaps that also
participate, together with the projections, in retaining the
covering member on the fastener ring.
The invention is described more fully below with reference to the
drawings that show several embodiments of the invention by way of
non-limiting example.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is an exploded view, partially in section and partially in
plan, of a fluid dispenser implementing a covering member
constituting a first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a very greatly enlarged view of a detail of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, but in the mounted
state;
FIG. 4 is a very greatly enlarged view of a detail of FIG. 3;
FIGS. 5 and 6 are very greatly enlarged views each showing two
projections separated by a gap, and each constituting a variant
embodiment; and
FIGS. 7 and 8 are section views of two covering members
constituting two further embodiments of the invention.
In the embodiments used to illustrate the present invention, the
covering member fulfils both technical and appearance functions.
The covering member constitutes a member that is visible from the
outside, and that consequently imparts an attractive appearance.
This is why the covering member is designated in the following
description by a term that is frequently used in the fields of
perfumery and cosmetics, namely a "covering hoop". The term
"covering" is particularly appropriate, given that the hoop covers
the fastener ring, as can be seen below.
Reference is made initially to FIGS. 1 to 6 in order to explain in
detail the first embodiment of a covering hoop of the invention.
The hoop is designated overall by numerical reference 1. The hoop
can be made of plastics material or of metal. It presents a general
configuration that is substantially cylindrical with a hollow
inside. More precisely, the hoop comprises a tube 10 that is
substantially cylindrical, and that includes a bottom end 11, and a
top end that extends inwards in the form of an inwardly-directed
rim 12. The edge of the inwardly-directed rim 12 defines an opening
13 that leads into the tube 10. The tube 10 includes a visible
outside wall 14 and an inside wall 15.
In the invention, the inside wall 15 is provided with projections
that project inwards from a cylindrical base zone 151. The
projections 17 are advantageously disposed as elongate ribs 16 that
extend as vertical splines, i.e. parallel to the axis X of the
cylinder formed by the tube 10. The inside wall 15 of the tube 10
is thus provided with twenty-four ribs 16 in the first embodiment.
The ribs 16 extend parallel to one another, and are distributed
over the wall in equidistant manner. Another disposition is also
possible. The number of ribs can also vary. With reference to FIG.
2, it can be seen that each rib 16 comprises a plurality of
projections 17 that are separated by gaps 18. The projections 17
present an elongate configuration that lies in the same
longitudinal direction as the ribs 16. Each projection thus forms
two ends 171 and two long edges 172, as can be seen in FIGS. 5 and
6, that are described in greater detail below. It is also possible
to form the projections with a configuration that is less elongate,
such that each projection generally forms a dot. Each rib can be
likened to a dotted or discontinuous line having dots that are
constituted by the projecting projections.
A characteristic of this first embodiment resides in the fact that
the ribs 16 are vertical, i.e. they extend parallel to the axis of
the cylinder formed by the tube 10. Advantageously, the ribs 16 do
not extend as far as the bottom end 11, but start a little higher,
leaving a bottom segment that does not have ribs. The same applies
for the top end of the tube 10 that also does not have ribs.
The covering hoop 1 is for co-operating with a fastener ring 2 that
presents a configuration that is entirely conventional for the
fields of perfumery and of cosmetics. The ring 2 is preferably made
of plastics material. The fastener ring 2 includes a skirt 20
defining tabs 21 that are separated by vertical longitudinal slots
22. Each tab 21 internally forms catches 23 that project inwards.
The tabs 21 are separated by the slots 22 in such a manner as to
impart to the tabs, a capacity for deformation that is necessary in
order to engage the ring on the neck. At its top end, the skirt 20
is connected to a plate 24 that extends inwards forming a
snap-fastener housing 25 having a function that is explained below.
In addition, the ring 2 includes a guide wall 26 that
advantageously extends upwards in alignment with the skirt 20.
A dispenser system 3, specifically a pump, is engaged in the
snap-fastener housing 25 of the ring 2. The pump 3 includes a body
31 defining an inlet 32 at its bottom end, and a collar 33 at its
top end, which collar is engaged by snap-fastening inside the
housing 25. The pump 3 also includes an actuator rod 34 that is
movable downwards and upwards inside the body 3. The actuator rod
34 projects out from the body and receives an actuator head 35 that
is in the form of a pusher. Thus, by pressing on the pusher 35, the
actuator rod 34 is moved inside the body 31, thereby dispensing a
dose of fluid. This pump is entirely conventional in the fields of
pharmacy or of cosmetics.
As mentioned above, the ring 2 is for fastening the pump 3 on a
receptacle that is designated by the numerical reference 4. The
receptacle, that is shown only in part, includes a neck 40 that
defines an opening that puts the inside of the receptacle into
communication with the outside. The neck 40 defines an annular top
end edge 41 and an outer peripheral shoulder 42. The fastener ring
2 co-operates with the neck by engaging the catches 23 below the
shoulder 42. In order to achieve sealing, a neck gasket 27 is
compressed between the top edge 41, and the plate 24 of the ring 2.
To get below the shoulder 42, the catches 23 must firstly pass
beyond the shoulder 42. This is possible as a result of the tabs 21
being able to deform radially outwards so as to pass over the
shoulder 42. After passing over the shoulder, the catches 23 can be
received, at least in part, below the shoulder 42. In entirely
conventional manner, the covering hoop 1 is mounted on the fastener
ring 2 in such a manner as to block the tabs 21 around the neck 40.
To do this, the inside wall 15 of the covering hoop comes into
clamping contact with the outside wall of the ring that is formed
by the skirt 20 and by the guide wall 26.
For the hoop constituting the first embodiment, the projections 17
bite into the plastics material constituting the ring 2. To this
end, it is necessary for the inside diameter of the envelope
defined by the tops of the projections 17 to be less than the
outside diameter of the ring at the skirt 20 and/or at the guide
wall 26. In FIG. 3, it can be seen that the covering hoop 1 is
engaged, in part, on the ring 2, i.e. over the guide wall 26 only.
With reference to FIG. 4 that shows a detail of FIG. 3 on a larger
scale, it can be seen that the projections 17 bite into the
material constituting the ring 2. In the final position (not
shown), the hoop 1 completely surrounds the ring 2, with the bottom
end 11 of the hoop being situated below the bottom end of the ring,
and the inwardly-directed rim bearing against the top end of the
guide wall 26. In this final assembly position, the ribs 16
constituted by the projections 17 and the gaps 18, bite into the
skirt 20 and the guide wall 26 over practically their entire
height.
The vertical disposition of the ribs 16 enables the hoop to be
engaged more easily around the ring by penetrating into the
material constituting the ring like a blade. The material
constituting the hoop is preferably harder than the material of the
ring. The vertical disposition of the ribs prevents any turning of
the hoop about the ring. For the most part, this prevention from
turning is provided by the projections 17. In the invention, the
gaps 18 also participate in retaining the hoop on the ring, mainly
with regard to withstanding traction, making it possible to prevent
the hoop from being removed from the ring by pulling on said hoop.
The creep qualities of plastics material have been well known for a
long time. Such creep characteristics enable the plastics material
constituting the ring to creep into the gaps 18 defined between
successive projections 17. It can also be said that the plastics
material creeps around each projection, i.e. around its long edges
172, and also around its ends 171. The substantially perpendicular
orientation of the ends relative to the edges thus provides good
ability to withstand both turning and traction. This does not apply
with continuous ribs as in the above-mentioned prior art
documents.
Such locally-interrupted projecting ribs can be made in various
ways. For example, it is possible to form the projections during a
single manufacturing step, e.g. by molding a plastics material. It
suffices to provide a mold cavity that is suitable for making
projections that are separated by gaps. It is also possible to make
such a hoop out of metal in a single manufacturing step, e.g. by
molding, although this is not very practical. The hoop of the
invention is advantageously made in two successive steps, namely a
first step consisting in making a hoop by stamping metal in such a
manner as to form continuous ribs on the inside wall, then
machining the ribs by removing material or displacing material so
as to form gaps dividing each rib into a plurality of separate
projections. In brief, a hoop is manufactured with ribs that are
continuous, and then the ribs are modified so as to obtain
projections that are separate. The technique of machining by
displacing material is preferred, given that it generates neither
metal debris nor swarf. By way of example, it is possible to use
embossing or knurling techniques to machine the ribs by displacing
material. FIGS. 5 and 6 are very greatly enlarged views of ribs
that are machined by displacing material. Each figure shows two
projections 17 that are separated by a gap 18. As mentioned above,
each projection 17 comprises two opposite ends 171 that are
interconnected by two edges 172. Each projection extends from the
cylindrical base zone 151 defined by the inside wall 15. The rib 17
thus projects inwards forming two flanks 174 that converge towards
a crest 173. The projection 17 thus presents a substantially
triangular section in the form of a screw thread. This shape
enables better penetration by cutting into the material
constituting the fastener ring. The ends 171 of two adjacent
projections 17 face each other and thus define a gap 18. The bottom
of the gap 18 can lie at the same level as the base zone 151 or at
a different level that is higher or lower. Given that the gap 18 is
obtained by displacing material, e.g. by embossing or by knurling,
the gap 18 is bordered by lumps of displaced material that is
concentrated mainly at the crest 173 and at the edges 172. In
particular, it can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 that the projections 17
form a bulge where the ends 171 meet the crests 173. The bulge is
obtained as a result of the material that was previously situated
in the gap 18, being displaced over the sides. The same applies for
the lumps 176 that extend at the edge 172 at each end of the bottom
of the gap. The lumps of displaced material 175 and 176 form
corresponding projecting profiles that enable the hoop to be
retained even more securely on the ring. In the embodiment in FIG.
5, the gap 18 is substantially symmetrical, such that the ends 171
are identical. In the embodiment in FIG. 6, the gap 18 is
asymmetrical with the end 171 of the lower projection 17 lying
practically in a horizontal plane, whereas the end 171 of the upper
projection 17 lies in a plane that is more vertical. Thus, while
the hoop is being driven onto the ring, the plastics material of
the ring slides over the end 171 of the upper projection, and when
it is desired to remove the hoop from the ring by traction, the
material of the ring comes into abutment on the end 171 of the
lower projection, which end extends practically perpendicularly to
the traction axis. With the asymmetrical gap 18 in FIG. 6, a
barb-type fastening function is achieved, making insertion easier
and preventing extraction. Naturally, it is possible to imagine
other shapes for the gaps 18 that separate two projections 17. As a
function of the shape of the gap, the lumps of displaced material
are different, as can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.
FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a hoop 1' of the invention, in
which the ribs 16' extend horizontally in such a manner as to form
annular ribs that are locally interrupted by elongate gaps 18 that
can also be formed using any technique. The ribs 16' are very good
at withstanding traction, while the gaps 18 prevent any turning. In
other words, the projections and the elongate gaps alternate
regularly.
FIG. 8 shows another embodiment for a covering hoop of the
invention. The covering hoop 1'' includes oblique ribs 16'' that
extend parallel to one another. The angle of the oblique ribs 16''
relative to the longitudinal axis of the hoop is about 45.degree..
It can be seen in FIG. 8 that the ribs 16'' are formed by
projections 17 that are separated by gaps 18. The gaps 18 can be
formed using any technique, e.g. by molding, or by removing or
displacing material. As a result of the inclined orientation of the
projections 17, said projections are disposed in a lozenge
configuration relative to the longitudinal axis of the hoop. This
lozenge disposition provides good ability to withstand both turning
and traction. The gaps 18 are made perpendicularly to the
longitudinal direction of the ribs, but the gaps 18 could also be
made perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, such
that each projection presents the shape of a parallelogram.
A principle of the invention can be seen in the fact of forming
localized, dot-shaped, or discrete projections on the inside wall
of a covering hoop, or more generally on a covering member, for
engaging around a fastener ring of a pump or a valve.
* * * * *